Over the past several years, some footwear manufacturers have marketed rocker sole style shoes as being beneficial for low back pain sufferers. However, it now appears this was likely more based on increasing their bottom line than actually providing relief to low back pain sufferers. A newly published study comparing the effectiveness of rocker sole footwear to traditional flat sole footwear in people with chronic low back pain found no difference when it came to reducing pain and disability. In fact, flat shoes were shown to be more beneficial for those sufferers of low back pain aggravated by standing or walking as compared with rocker style shoes. Suffering from back pain? Stick to the flats and call your local chiropractor today!

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and chiropractic physicians nationwide are raising public awareness this month about the importance of joint health and the vital role physical activity plays in keeping joints healthy and pain-free during National Chiropractic Health Month (NCHM). This year’s campaign—“Discover Chiropractic: Get Vertical!”—focuses on getting off the couch or out of the office chair, and standing or moving more each day. As part of the observance, ACA has loaded www.ChiroHealthy.com with information for the public on how chiropractic services fit into a healthy lifestyle and simple steps they can take to enhance their joint health today. Most people know someone with joint pain, and joint replacement surgery—particularly involving hips and knees—is commonplace. What many do not know is that simple lifestyle changes can in some cases help prevent the need for this type of surgery and keep joints healthier longer. “If the beautiful fall weather across much of the country isn’t incentive enough to Get Vertical, remember that a few healthy lifestyle changes—over time—can potentially mean the difference between being scheduled for joint replacement surgery or remaining active and pain-free well into one’s golden years,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC. “Chiropractic physicians can help maintain a patient’s quality of life by providing exercise and lifestyle recommendations, nutritional advice, and natural approaches to managing aches and pains.” Sponsored by ACA, National Chiropractic Health Month is a nationwide observance held each October. The event helps raise public awareness of the benefits of chiropractic care and its natural, whole-person, patient-centered approach to health and wellness.

It’s concerning that many have taken a sort of inactive position when it comes to their health and inherent ability to get and stay well. We have moved towards becoming a sick or ‘unwell’ nation seeking ‘health’ through the services of a medical physician - a physician who most commonly provides a solution written on a prescription pad. The reality is that there are safe, natural and highly effective ways for us to overcome disease, get well and maintain good health and wellbeing. In a large review just published in the British Medical Journal, researchers from Britain's London School of Economics and Harvard and Stanford universities in the United States found no statistically detectable differences between exercise and drugs for patients with coronary heart disease or prediabetes, when a person shows symptoms that may develop into full-blown diabetes. Most of us already have the inherent tools to fight disease if we make the right choices - something doctors of chiropractic understand. If you’d like to learn more about improving your health the natural way, call your local doctor of chiropractic today!

There has been much attention lately on the negative effects of sugary drinks. The research has shown them to be a source of excess calories and unhealthy weight gain. However, up to this point the research has focused on older children and adults. With similar results - results that might be a little shocking to parents of very young children - new research shows children aged just 2 to 5 experience the same negative effects. Data collected on close to 10,000 children shows sugary drink consumption in 2 to 5 year olds has substantial negative effects on their unhealthy weight gain, contributing to obesity at this very young age. Researchers were so taken with their findings, they concluded, "Pediatricians and parents should discourage SSB (sugar-sweetened beverage) consumption to help avoid potential unhealthy weight gain in young children. From a public health standpoint, strong consideration should be made toward policy changes leading to decreases in SSB consumption among children."